Starting from the 1960s, CLAAS raised the development of agricultural machinery to a new level. Following the success of combine harvesters and balers in previous decades, the company responded to changing market demands through strategic transformation, becoming a harvesting specialist with a broad product portfolio.
Portfolio Expansion and Self-Propelled Machines
Due to the decline in demand following the economic boom, CLAAS acquired the Bautz and Speiser companies in 1969-1970, thereby expanding its offering: mowers, tedders, swathers, loader wagons, and self-propelled forage harvesters were added to the portfolio. With this, CLAAS was no longer specialized solely in combine harvesters but offered a full machinery range covering the entire harvesting process.
The DOMINATOR and Modular Production
In 1971, the CLAAS DOMINATOR series was launched, setting a new standard in combine harvester design and manufacturing. Thanks to the "Simultaneous Engineering" process, the design and production of the machine took place almost in parallel, enabling modular manufacturing, cost reduction, and adaptation to global markets. Through the "Multi-Crop" concave systems, the DOMINATOR became applicable worldwide for harvesting various crops and quickly rose among the most sought-after combine models.
Large Balers and the QUADRANT
In 1988, CLAAS introduced its first large square baler, the QUADRANT 1200 model, which processed up to 30 tons of straw per hour and produced bales optimized for transport dimensions. The machine accelerated harvesting, reduced storage requirements, and became a favorite among professional contractors.
Pioneering Power Units: XERION and LEXION
In 1993, CLAAS presented the XERION tractor, a new benchmark for versatility and performance. With four equal-sized wheels, continuously variable transmission, and high engine power, the XERION became a towing vehicle suitable for almost all agricultural tasks. Serial production began in 1997, and it has since grown into an internationally recognized power machine.
In 1996, the CLAAS LEXION combine family was launched, targeting new performance categories with the revolutionary APS HYBRID SYSTEM, a redesigned cab, and the intelligent CEBIS on-board computer. The LEXION further increased machine efficiency, while the LASER PILOT and GPS PILOT systems enabled precision farming.
International Production and Market Presence
CLAAS recognized the importance of global presence as early as the 1990s: in 1997, they took over the factory in Törökszentmiklós, which has since become Hungary's largest agricultural technology plant, handling the development and production of drum mowers and cutterbars with nearly 800 employees.
In the North American market, CLAAS opened a combine factory in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1999, which it fully took over by 2002. This ensured a long-term and stable presence for the company in the American agricultural machinery market, complementing the export activities started in 1950 and the sales network founded in Indiana in 1979.
CLAAS - More Than 100 Years of Innovation
The history of CLAAS perfectly illustrates how a family workshop can become a global harvesting specialist through continuous development, innovation, and constant attention to market needs.
However, the story does not end here…
In the next part, we will present how CLAAS has evolved from the 2000s to the present day, including digital farming systems, precision harvesting machines, and sustainable agricultural technology.
To be continued…
